bacchus [BAK uhs]

(Greek > Latin: an ancient Greek and Roman god of wine and revelry; earlier called Dionysus by the Greeks)

Bacchae (BAK ee)

Greek myth, women companions of Bacchus; priestesses of Bacchus; the women who took part in the Bacchanalia [bak" uh NAYL yuh] which was an ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus; by extension, a drunken party, an orgy.

bacchanal

1. A participant in the Bacchanalia.2. A drunken or riotous celebration.3. Of, relating to, or typical of the worship of Bacchus.

Bacchanalia (singular and plural)

1. The ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus.
2. When not capitalized, bacchanalia, refers to a riotous, boisterous, or drunken festivity; revel (boisterous festivity or celebration).

bacchanalian, bacchanalianism, bacchanalism

1. Of, connected with, or relating to bacchanals.2. Characterized by, connected with, or given to drunken revelry; riotously drunken, roystering (roistering, a rude or noisy reveller).3. A bacchanal, a drunken reveller, a tippler (a habitual drinker of intoxicating liquor implying more or less excess, but usually short of positive drunkenness).

1. A priest, priestess, or inspired votary (devoted to a particular religion or devoted or passionately addicted to some particular pursuit) of Bacchus; hence, a drunken reveller, roysterer (now roisterer, a swaggering or noisy reveller).
2. Bacchus-worshipping, wine-loving.

Bacchante

A priestess or female votary (worshiper) of Bacchus.

bacchantic

Of or pertaining to the devotees of Bacchus.

bacchation

Drunken riot; uncontrolled and excessive drinking of alcohol.

Bacchic, bacchic

1. Bacchic, of or relating to Bacchus.2. When not capitalized, bacchic refers to drunken and carousing behavior.

Bacchus

1. The god of wine; hence, wine, intoxicating liquor.
2. A "child of Bacchus" is a name that refers to someone who drinks to excess; a drunkard.
3. A classical god of wine: in Greek and Roman mythology, the god of wine, identified with the Greek god Dionysus and the Roman god Liber. He was worshiped with orgiastic and ecstatic rites. From Greek Bakkhos via Latin Bacchus.
4. Dionysus came from Greek and Roman mythology and was the god of wine and of an orgiastic religion celebrating the power and fertility of nature.

The orgies honoring Dionysus probably originated as fertility rites. Gradually the festivals took on many forms, ranging from drinking feasts to festal processions and dramatic performances.

When the orgies were introduced into Rome, they became known as bacchanalia, named for Bacchus. In Rome, the rites for Bacchus started out as secret gatherings for women only. Later, after men were admitted, they became the sort of gatherings suggested by the contemporary meaning of orgy. The Bucchanalia of ancient Rome became increasingly notorious for drunkenness, debauchery, and licentiousness of all kinds. Things progressed to the point where the Roman senate felt the need to issue a decree in 186 B.C. prohibiting Bacchanalia.